IMMIGRANT LETTER TO USA PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

To the Presidential Candidates:

Mike Duncan

Chairman of the Republican National Committee

Gov. Howard Dean

Chairman of the Democratic National Committee

Senator Barack Obama

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton

Senator John McCain

Washington D.C. May 1, 2008We the people, all who gathered here today are reaching out to the candidates and elected officials from both political parties and urging them to address one of the most crucial human and civil rights issues facing this nation. Millions of people have migrated to this nation in search of survival for themselves and their families. They have come looking for work. The great majority would have gladly come with proper documentation if that avenue had been open to them. However, when faced with having to feed their families and waiting for years if not decades to get documentation these families had little choice. Now because of lack of documentation these individuals, some who have lived the majority of their lives here in the United States, have become targets of persecution, scapegoating and discrimination. ICE raids are being conducted daily that violate individuals’ civil and human rights. Raids are conducted without warrants, detainees are denied access to attorneys, and people are being held without charges as an overburdened immigration enforcement agency cannot efficiently process those detained.

Families are being separated and citizen children are losing one or both of their parents. Local jurisdictions are taking actions into their own hands passing some of the most mean-spirited and bigoted laws this nation has seen since the days of Jim Crow. This issue has created a climate of intolerance and hatred.

We need the federal government to step up and face this issue head on. All individuals living in the United States need to be treated with dignity and justice. All individuals need to be able to acquire legal status with a reasonable and fair path to citizenship for those who desire it. Family reunification should be a priority. Meanwhile, the ICE raids should be stopped until such overdue immigration reforms are implemented.

We ask our political leaders to address this issue with courage, compassion and a willingness to work across party lines. Please be ever aware that these are our family members, our neighbors, our employees, and our friends. They have helped in very real and significant ways to make this nation what it is today. For the well being of this nation, it is imperative that immigration reform be enacted without delay.

As president, will you fight for immigration reform that will allow immigrants present in the U.S. to acquire legal status? Will you work to create fair and accessible pathways to citizenship for those who desire it? Will you stop the ICE raids at least until a reformed policy is adopted and lastly will you fight for family reunification? These are the questions for which we are seeking answers from you, we, respectfully request to you to give a public respond our letter soon.

Sincerely,
May 1rst Immigrant Coalition.

Publication person in charge: Virginia Leavell, virginia@mexicanossinfronteras.org
Office: 1525 Newton’s Street, NW, Washington, DC 20010, USA. (202) 640-5315, www.mexicanossinfronteras.org